Moving to a new country is one of the most exciting, and also daunting, adventures to undertake, especially if you don’t know anyone.
For international students, finding friends and building a new support network can make a huge difference to their overall university experience. For Glynnis, Crystle and Chris, living in Townsville has given them plenty of opportunities to connect with people, discover shared interests and build friendships that have helped make the city feel like home.
A smaller community can make connecting easier
When Glynnis, originally from Malaysia, first arrived in Townsville, she found the experience wasn’t quite as exciting as she’d been hoping.
“At first, I found Townsville quite challenging because I didn’t have a car and felt isolated on campus.”
However, things changed once she had more freedom to explore the region and get involved in local events and activities.
Glynnis believes living in a regional city made it easier to build strong connections with those around her.
“Compared to larger cities, which can sometimes feel overwhelming, a regional city offers a stronger sense of community,” she says.
She found it easier to connect with people from all different backgrounds and develop deeper relationships with them because the community felt “close-knit and supportive.”
For Crystle, who moved to Townsville from Singapore, the difference was particularly noticeable. Coming from one of the world’s most densely populated cities, Townsville offered a completely different pace of life.
“Townsville doesn't really feel like a city. Instead, I love the peace and quiet here and the slower pace of life,” she says.
She also found that people were more willing to talk to strangers, making it easier for her to step out of her comfort zone and put herself out there to make friends.
“I feel like people are friendlier here and willing to chat to strangers, which brightens my day.”
Chris, who made the move over from Germany, had the same experience.
“Everyone is incredibly friendly and welcoming,” he says. “Even my neighbours greeted me with plants when I first moved in.”
Start with the people around you
If stepping out of your comfort zone and talking to strangers sounds a bit too full on to start with, don’t stress. For both Glynnis and Crystle, their first friendships in Australia started with the people they lived with.
Glynnis met her first friends in her student dormitory on her very first morning in Townsville. Because everyone was new and adjusting to their surroundings, starting conversations felt natural.
Crystle had a similar experience with her housemates. Although she was intimidated when she arrived, particularly because she was older than many of the students living on campus, it didn’t take long for her to make friends.
Sharing meals became a way to introduce her new friends to Southeast Asian food while creating an affordable way to socialise.
“As a Singaporean, food is our love language. Eating out can be expensive for students, and this is a great way to not only save money but try international food in the comfort of our own home,” she says.
For Chris, he found the best way to make friends was to get as involved as possible in campus events and activities.
“Get involved in campus life early on. It’s a great way to meet others and make the most of your time here,” he says.
Find people who share your interests
One of the best ways to meet people and create lasting friendships is by attending an activity that brings you joy. Crystle discovered that Townsville had plenty of opportunities to meet like-minded people interested in nature, art and wildlife.
“Many of the friendships I have made have strengthened over the years, and I'm confident that we will remain friends long after we've completed our studies here in Townsville.”
Glynnis also found that shared experiences helped create friendships. Through classes, work, volunteering and community events, she’s met people from all over the world.
“I always try to learn about people's interests and find common experiences that we can relate to. As an international student, I also enjoyed sharing cultural differences and learning about other cultures, and that led to events like potlucks and exposure to different types of cuisine. Those conversations were often fun and meaningful, and they helped create genuine connections,” she says.
Even visiting new places can be a way to meet people.
“I’d definitely recommend hopping on the ferry to beautiful Magnetic Island. It feels like stepping into a completely different world, and it’s only a 20-minute ride. You can go snorkelling, hiking (and spot wild koalas along the way), or scuba diving,” Chris says.
Why not strike up a chat with someone on your snorkelling tour and see where it takes you?
